Mistylou0713

8 hours ago, LB_NJ said:

 

I had the package on Empress and definitely made use of the refreshment package for coffee drinks (regular coffee is free but not great) like cappuccinos, expressos, etc.

 

However, if you are not going to use it for other items like bottled water, bottled sparking water, mocktails, etc. you might want to think about just the coffee card.  It can save a few dollars over the cost of buying the individual coffee drinks.

 

FYI, they add a gratuity to the refreshment package at checkout.  However, if it is on sale it can still make sense IF you will use it enough.  Prices of the refreshment package go up and down all the time.  The best prices I have seen are usually around black Friday.

 

If it wasn't mentioned before at least for now you can purchase a package and if the price goes down cancel the original and repurchase at the lower price.

 

It does mean checking cruise planner periodically.

 

Finally,  I hope you have looked into travel medical insurance.  Most policies do NOT cover pre-existing conditions unless the policy was purchased within so many days of putting a deposit down on the trip. 

Yes we already got the insurance def wasn’t going to travel without it 

19 minutes ago, LB_NJ said:

For your husband, if he likes coffee drinks you might think about the refreshment package.  During a sale it is only a few dollars a day more and adds mocktails, bottled water, and coffee drinks.

I actually thought about that one for me. I don’t drink soda but I do love my coffee. 

1 minute ago, Host Clarea said:

 

You are charged by the number of nights.

 

The package includes whatever beverages might be available on disembarkation day.

Thank you 

Do they count debarkation as one of the days for the drink packages? 

47 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Do you mean the soda package or the Refreshment package?

The soda package 

4 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Mariner has the Freetyle machines.

Ok great thank you. I know the alchole package usually goes on sale for a lower price but the drink package doesn’t correct? 

1 hour ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

They are too young to know the difference! 🙄

Def not going to share, but thank y’all for the answers lol. I’d say a lot of people probably do that. Does anyone know if the mariner of the seas has to free style coke machine? If so I know they have flavored water so might get my youngest the package she drink more then. 

So my family and I are taking our first cruise April 20 2020 next year on the Mariner of the Seas. I have some questions about the soda package. Do you have to purchase the soda package for everyone in the stateroom? My oldest daughter has kidney issues and she does not drink soda at all, but my husband on the other hand can’t go without his soda lol. I like soda but I might buy maybe one the entire week. Also is the price the same for adults as it is kids? My youngest like the occasional soda and if it’s the same price as an adult price I’m not sure if it would be worth it for her on the package. Neither me nor my husband drink so I won’t be buying the alchole package. 

38 minutes ago, spookwife said:

one thing to be aware of:  even if you do not  give the kid's cards  charging privileges, it may still work in the arcade.  that adds up..fast.   make sure they know exactly what they cannot charge.. things like sodas are extra unless you have a drink package, hard ice cream outside of the MDR or Buffet, Johnny Rockets,  and such like.  

 

always check your  balance  nightly.  save any receipts too so you can  compare.  pictures generally run $20 each.  there are bundles you can get which may or may not  be cost effective.  

Thank you I’ll make sure to keep note of the aracade and the sodas. We haven’t decided if the soda package is worth it yet. The hubby will surely drink his worth plus someone else’s lol but my youngest is 9 she could probably do one every meal but I don’t typically let her drink sodas. Me and the oldest don’t drink sodas at all 

11 hours ago, dacsmom said:

I have never heard horror stories about credit card holds. There are debit card holds that can last for a few weeks after the cruise, depending on your bank policy. No one can really answer that question unless we know what you have prepaid, how much you drink, and what you have already preordered, and any specialty dining you are looking at. I have had cruises where I paid for everything ahead of time and maybe spent $50 on board. I have also had cruises where I have had a $1000 bill at the end of the cruise.

I’m trying to pay most up front. Me and my husband don’t drink. I might do a specialty dinning but would only limit my self to one. We might let the kids do some arcade games and probably end up getting the pictures depending on how they turn out. I want to pre pay as much as much as possible though.  

17 minutes ago, cb at sea said:

If you want to use cash, that's fine.  When you've boarded, you'll go to customer service and put a bit of money onto your account.  If you spend it all, they will notify you  so you can put more onto the account.

 

The easiest way is to use a CREDIT card...no "holds"....they will "link" the card to your account and NOTHING is actually CHARGED to the card until the cruise is over.  You can go and pay it off in cash, if you want to, before the cruise is over. 

 

DEBIT cards are the mess...they DO incur major holds...which is dependent on your bank....it's not the cruise line that places holds..it's the bank.  It can mess up your checking account.  I would NEVER, EVER recommend a debit card on vacation...anywhere, at any time.   If all you have is a debit card, simply bring the cash instead.  No "holds" for cash!  You will have a safe to store cash.

Ok great thank you. I’ve got a credit card. Probably safer to use to it. 

So we are going on our first cruise in April 2020. Family of 4. I think I’ve decided to use cash for the sea pass card. Typically what do people bring when using cash for their sea pass card? We are going on 4 night cruise if that matters. I’ve read a lot of horror stories with using credit cards and them placing all kinds of holds. Anyone had that problem? 

1 minute ago, leaveitallbehind said:

I'm fairly certain that in the lengthy small print verbiage of the cruise contract and terms and conditions with sailing there would be mention of requirements of non-married parents traveling solo with a child.  But when you talk with a rep with RCI (and likely most cruise lines) you are talking with an off shore call center were, while knowledgeable of most of the general terms of travel the reps probably aren't well versed in the specifics of situations such as you mention. Hence  the conflicting information.

 

IMO, if possible, I would secure the notarized permission from the biological father, or at least something from the court confining custody with you, to avoid any issue at check in.

Yea I planned on reaching out and getting the letter and if I can’t I planned on getting a statement from court but I was just curious why it’s not mentioned since it’s required in most instances. 

I’ve seen this on the forum in several places but we are cruising in April next year on RC going to Bahamas. My oldest daughter is 14 and her biological father is on her birth certificate. I’ve seen that many people say I need her biological fathers signed and noterized permission for her to travel but when I was speaking with RC they said all we need is her passport as long as my name is on the birth certified. Why do they give conflicting information? I plan on trying to figure out a way to contact him or get a court order granting tr wel permission but I was just curious why RC does not inform parents traveling with a minor and the other parent is not present.